Biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus, and treatment method thereof

ABSTRACT

A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, a biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus, and a treatment method thereof. An object is to obviate attachment control and suction control for storing and retaining the carrier in the tip form vessel, to simplify complex reaction processes, and to make processing of the biological material fixed carrier to be easily executed as a result of a small-scale device configuration. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip comprises: a tip form vessel having an installation opening part that is installable to a nozzle that performs suction and discharge of gas, and a narrow tube that possesses an opening, through which fluid inflow and outflow is possible by means of the suction and discharge of gas, that is narrower than the nozzle; a carrier in which a predetermined biological material is fixed or fixable in a plurality of different positions that are determined beforehand that are distinguishable from the exterior, and has a size or a shape that is able to pass through the opening; and an enclosing section provided on the tip form vessel that encloses the carrier within the narrow tube in a state where it is able to make contact with the fluid that has flown into the narrow tube from the opening.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a United States national phase application ofco-pending international patent application number PCT/JP2005/022775,filed Dec. 12, 2005, which claims priority to Japanese patentapplication number 2004-359201, filed Dec. 10, 2004, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip, a biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus,and a treatment method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in a case where a series of reaction processes using aplurality of reagents and materials is performed on a target material,which becomes the subject of examination, for example, the targetmaterial is stored in a test tube by bonding to a microcarrier, such asa bead. Thereafter, a variety of reagents, or the like, are injectedinto the test tube, the carrier is separated by some method, the carrieris moved to another vessel, and other reagents, or the like, are furtherinjected, and processes such as heating are performed. For example, in acase where the carrier is a magnetic body, separation is performed bymeans of a magnetic field by attachment onto the inner wall of the testtube.

Furthermore, in regard to a process that performs examination of atarget material by using a plane form carrier, such as a slide, fixedwith, for example, a variety of oligonucleotides, the base sequencestructure of the target material is examined by performing a series ofreaction processes that, moves the carrier itself into a suspension inwhich the labeled target material is suspended, dispenses a variety ofreagents into the carrier itself, moves the carrier itself into acleaning solution, and moves the carrier to a measurement position of ameasuring device in order to perform measurement of the emitted light.

In order to perform these processes, the separation of the carrieritself, and the transport of the carrier itself is necessary, andconsequently, there is a problem in that there is concern in theprocesses being complex and time-consuming. Particularly, in regard to acase where these carriers themselves are transported, a large burden isplaced on the user in a case where it is performed manually, andfurthermore, there is also concern regarding cross-contamination.Moreover, a large scale device is necessary in a case where transport ofthe carrier itself is performed by means of a machine. Furthermore, in acase where separation of a non-magnetic carrier is performed, it isnecessary to separate by means of the size and specific gravity of thecarrier, and there is a problem in the process being complex andtime-consuming.

On the other hand, there is a method in which a test tube or a planeform carrier is not used, in which the reaction process is performedusing a pipette device comprising; a pipette tip provided with a liquidpassage, in which passage of a liquid is possible, a nozzle to which thepipette tip is installed, a magnetic device that exerts a magnetic fieldto the liquid passage of the pipette tip, and a suction and dischargemechanism that suctions and discharges liquid within the pipette tip.According to this method, as a result of suctioning a suspension inwhich a plurality of magnetic particles, in which various materials areretained on the surface, are suspended, and exerting a magnetic field atthe time of suctioning, the magnetic particles can be efficientlysuctioned into the liquid passage of the pipette tip, and separation, orthe like, can be performed, though since the magnetic particles are ableto pass through the liquid passage, in order to retain the magneticparticles within the pipette tip, attachment onto the inner wall byapplying a magnetic field is necessary. Consequently, in order toperform processing, there is a need to combine the suction and dischargecontrol, attachment control by means of a magnetic field, and movementcontrol of the pipette tip. Furthermore in regard to a case where thecarrier is a non-magnetic particle, there is a problem in thatseparation can not be performed by the device (Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 3115501

[Patent Document 2] International Patent Publication No. WO96/29602

[Patent Document 3] International Patent Publication No. WO97/44671

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

Consequently, a first object of the present invention is in providing: abiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, wherein by making itpossible to perform processing on a carrier in which the variousmaterials are fixed or are fixable, while it is enclosed within a tipform vessel, attachment control and suction control for storing andretaining the carrier in the tip form vessel is made unnecessary,complex reaction processes are simplified, and processing is made to beeasily executed as a result of a small-scale device configuration; abiological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus; and the methodthereof.

A second object is in providing: a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip, wherein by making it possible to perform the enclosingand the removal of a carrier in which the various materials are fixed orare fixable, through a separate route to the route that performs suctionand discharge of fluid or a material that is present within the fluid,or in a separate process, then a process in which the carrier and thefluid is divided is made unnecessary, complex reaction processes aresimplified, and processing is made to be easily executed as a result ofa small-scale device configuration; a biological material fixed carriertreatment apparatus; and the method thereof.

A third object is in providing: a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip, wherein processing can be made efficient, and thereliability of processing and certainty of processing can be increasedby, in regard to a carrier in which the various materials are fixed orare fixable, making it able to be easily enclosed by the tip form vesselthat stores the same, and making processing, such as fixed processingwith respect to the carrier itself, easily executed by detachment fromthe tip form vessel; a biological material fixed carrier treatmentapparatus; and the method thereof.

A fourth object is in providing: a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip, in which the material of the carrier is not restricted toa magnetic body material, and furthermore, in regard to the shape andthe size of the carrier, the only condition is that it is enclosablewithin the tip form vessel, and therefore, the breadth of selectionswith respect to the material, the shape, and the size, increases, andthe optimal material for processing can be selected; a biologicalmaterial fixed carrier treatment apparatus; and the method thereof.

A fifth object is in providing: a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip, wherein by controlling the amount of suction anddischarge, the speed, the position, the frequency, the time, the timing,or the like, automation in regard to consistent processing is made easy;a biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus; and the methodthereof.

Means for Solving the Problem

A first aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip comprising: a tip form vessel having an installationopening part that is installable to a nozzle that performs suction anddischarge of gas, and a narrow tube that possesses an opening, throughwhich fluid inflow and outflow is possible by means of the suction anddischarge of gas, that is narrower than the nozzle; a carrier in which apredetermined biological material is fixed or fixable in a plurality ofdifferent positions that are determined beforehand that aredistinguishable from the exterior, and has a size or a shape that isable to pass through the opening; and an enclosing section provided onthe tip form vessel that encloses the carrier within the narrow tube ina state where it is able to make contact with the fluid that has flowninto the vessel from the opening.

Here, the “predetermined biological material” is a biopolymer, forexample, genetic material such as nucleic acids, proteins, sugars, sugarchains, or peptides, or chemical materials including low molecularweight compounds, and the biological material is used for detecting thebonding of a receptor biological material that possesses bondability tothe biological material as a ligand, capturing, separating, extraction,and the like. As the receptor, genetic material such as nucleic acids,proteins, sugar chains, peptides, or the like, that respectively possessbondability to genetic material such as nucleic acids, proteins, sugarchains, peptides, or the like, are appropriate. Furthermore, as thebiological material, or a replacement for the biological material, theorganism itself, such as cells, viruses, and plasmids, can be used.

“Fixed”, for example, includes cases of physical adsorption orelectrical interaction in addition to the cases of covalent bonding andchemical adsorption. Furthermore, the predetermined chemical material isfixed to the carrier; chemically, by physical adsorption, by a specificreaction with a binding material provided fixed in an appropriate area,or by another method. Moreover, the reaction ability or the bondingability with the biological material may be increased by forming thecarrier with a porous material, a corrugated material, or a fibrousmaterial. In order to perform fixing, a functional group is expressed orgenerated in the carrier. Consequently, by hydrolyzing the peptide bondspossessed by, for example, silk, or the like, which comprises “polyamidetype polymers”, totally aromatic polyamides such as nylon (3-nylon,6-nylon, 6,6-nylon, 6,10-nylon, 7-nylon, 12-nylon, or the like) and PPTA(polyparaphenylene terephthalamide), or heterocycle-containing aromaticpolymers, the functional groups used for fixing the biological materialis expressed or generated. Examples of functional groups that arebondable with the biological material include carboxyl groups —COOH,amino groups —NH₂, and the derivatives thereof. Here, the pore diametersuitable for fixing the biological material is, for example, severalmicrometers or less.

The “carrier” is storable in and extractable from the tip form vessel,and is a solid body possessing a size that is able to pass through theopening part of the narrow tube. Within the narrow tube, microamounts ofliquid, for example, a volume from several microliters to severalhundred microliters, is handled, and it is necessary for the entiresurface of the carrier and the liquid to be able to make contact.Therefore, it is suitable for the space enclosed by the surface of thecarrier enclosed within the narrow tube and the inner wall of the narrowtube to have a capacity that corresponds to the microamount.

Consequently, if the size of the opening of the narrow tube forsimplifying the suction and discharge of the liquid quantity, and thesize in which the carrier is able to outflow from the opening, isconsidered, and furthermore, if the situation that the biologicalmaterial is fixable in a plurality of different positions that aredetermined beforehand that are distinguishable from the exterior isconsidered, it is preferable if the carrier is a one-dimensional carrierthat has a length along the narrow tube, although it is small in theperpendicular direction to the narrow tube. Here, the “one-dimensionalcarrier” refers to a carrier in which the fixed positions or fixablepositions of the biological material can be specified by aone-dimensional coordinate along the axial direction of the narrow tube.

The carrier is not necessarily restricted to a case where it comprises asingle solid body, and it may also be a case where it comprises aplurality of solid bodies. Examples of the carrier include a pluralityof particle form carriers, which are arranged in the longitudinaldirection of a narrow tube, a narrow and long linear form flexiblecarrier, a narrow and long linear form non-flexible carrier, and arod-form carrier. For all of these, in a case where it does not have anenclosing section, it is able to pass through the opening.

The carrier is a solid body that is, for example, fixed such that it isarranged with a spacing, or is fixable, such that one or more types ofthe predetermined types of biological materials become a predeterminedrelationship to the predetermined positions. In that case, as a resultof a solution containing a biological material that is labeled by alabeling material comprising a luminescent material, such as afluorescent material in which there is the possibility of bonding withthese biological materials, making contact with the carrier, thepresence of bonding with these biological materials is measured bymeasuring the luminescence at each position, and as a result of this,the structure, the characteristics, and the presence of the targetbiological material can be analyzed.

Examples of the “enclosing section” include those in which a permeableporous member, a permeable hole member, or the like, which allows thefluid to pass but does not allow the carrier to pass, is provided as aseparate body to the tip form vessel, those in which the tip form vesselitself, for example, by deforming or processing the walls of the tipform vessel, is provided, and those in which a separate member and aprocessed wall of the tip form vessel, or the like, have been combined.In addition, as one that is provided as a separate body to the tip formvessel but is movable, it may be unable to pass through the openingitself and be joined to the carrier. An example in which the tip formvessel itself is used is one in which a protrusion section thatprotrudes out to the central direction of the tube is provided fornarrowing the narrow tube in a manner such that it is squeezed.

Amongst the enclosing section, in regard to the “permeable porousmember”, there is no need for it to be a filter that collects somematerial by adsorption, or the like. However, in a case where theenclosing section is a filter or a thin-film form filter, such as amembrane, not only is the outflow of the carrier from the opening andthe installation opening part prevented, but a predetermined materialcan be collected. In a case where the enclosing section is provided as aseparate body to the tip form vessel, a member that is formed in athin-plate form or a thin-film form that is thin in the flow directionof the fluid, is used, or a permeable porous member with a large porediameter with a condition that the carrier does not flow out, is used.Furthermore, in a case where the tip form vessel is processed andprovided as the enclosing section, by making the opening portion largewith a condition that the carrier does not flow out, the pressurenecessary for suction and discharge can be reduced.

The “tip form vessel” is a vessel that has an installation opening partfor a nozzle, and a narrow tube that possesses an opening for the inflowand outflow of fluid. The installation opening part is provided on theupper end, the opening is provided on the lower end, and it ispreferable for the opening to be narrower than the installation openingpart or the nozzle, and to be provided on the end of the narrow tube,which is insertable into various vessels. It is preferable for a storagesection that communicates the installation opening part and the narrowtube, in which liquid is storable, to be provided. This is because theycannot be directly communicated since the narrow tube is formed narrowerthan the installation opening part. In regard to the storage section, itis preferable for it to have a wide tube that is formed wider than thenarrow tube. In regard to the narrow tube, there is a case where it isprovided as a single body with the storage section or the wide tube, andthere is a case where it is detachably provided. In the case where it isdetachably provided, the storage of the carrier within the narrow tubeis simple. This wide tube and this narrow tube are not restricted to acase in which it has a typical dispensing tip form, which has a narrowdiameter section that corresponds to the narrow tube, which communicateswith the wide diameter section. For example, instead of a wide diametersection, it may have a quadratic prism shape, and instead of a thindiameter tube, it may be a square cylinder form tube. Furthermore, theinner diameter or the cross-sectional size of the narrow tube is smallerthan the inner diameter of the nozzle that is installed to theinstallation opening part. It is preferable for the capacity of thenarrow tube to have a range from several microliters to several hundredmicroliters.

In regard to the material of the tip form vessel, it is preferable for,at the very least, the narrow tube portion to be a translucent materialin order to enable optical measurements to be performed. Examples of thematerial of the tip form vessel include resins such as polyethylene,polypropylene, polystyrene, and acrylic, glass, metals, and metalcompounds. In regard to the size, for example, it is a size in whichseveral microliters to several hundred microliters of liquid is storablein the narrow tube.

A second aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip wherein the enclosing section has one or two or morecarrier passage blocking members that are provided as separate bodieswith respect to the tip form vessel, such that an interval between theinstallation opening part and the opening is partitioned, such thatfluid is able to pass through, but the carrier is not able to passthrough.

Here, the “carrier passage blocking member” is formed by a separatemember to the tip form vessel. It may be one in which the wall of thetip form vessel, or the like, and a processed wall of the tip formvessel, or the like, is combined and used. In regard to the carrierpassage blocking member, for example, fluid is able to pass through as aresult of having a pierced hole or by forming a space between the innerwall face of the vessel, although the size of the pierced hole or thespace is a size or a shape in which the carrier is not able to passthrough. For example, it is a member that is provided such that itpartitions the narrow tube in a wheel form, a cross form, a straightline form, a radial form, a mesh form, or a circular form, or it is apermeable porous member.

As an example in which the tip form vessel itself is used, there is onein which a protrusion section that protrudes out in the centraldirection of the tube is provided for narrowing the narrow tube in amanner such that it is squeezed. Furthermore, in regard to the enclosingsection, there is one in which it is joined to the carrier.

In regard to number of carrier passage blocking members, in order toprevent both the outflow of the carrier from the opening and the outflowfrom the installation opening part, it is preferable for it to beprovided at, at the very least, two sites such that the carrier issandwiched from both the opening side and the installation opening partside.

Here, by using the permeable porous member, different carriers that havea larger size than the pore diameter can be commonly enclosed withcertainty.

By providing the carrier passage blocking member, which is provided as aseparate body, such that it is freely detachable, the enclosing andextraction of the carrier can be easily performed.

A third aspect of the invention is a biological material solid bodyenclosing tip wherein the enclosing section has a protrusion section inwhich a wall face of the tip form vessel is made to protrude out in thedirection in which the interval between the installation opening partand the opening is partitioned.

Consequently, since the carrier is not provided as a separate body, andthe enclosing section is provided by processing or deforming the tipform vessel, the carrier can be enclosed with certainty.

A fourth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip wherein the enclosing section has a joining section forpassing fluid but preventing passage of the carrier, that is joined tothe carrier and is installed to the tip form vessel.

By having ajoining section, for example, a narrow and long shapedcarrier can be enclosed within the tip form vessel such that it does notflow out from the opening, with certainty.

A fifth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip in which the entire wall of the tip form vessel, or aportion thereof, is formed by a conductive member that has apredetermined electrical resistance value.

Here, by providing the conductive member to the tip form vessel, heatgeneration can be induced by making a terminal that is connected to anelectrical circuit provided on the exterior come into contact with theconductive member, and by flowing an electrical current through theconductive member, which has a predetermined resistance value. Theresistance value is controlled by a control section mentioned below,based on the processing contents.

Here, as the “predetermined electrical resistance value”, it is a valuein which the heat generation that is necessary for the conductive memberto achieve a temperature according to the object can be performed byflowing a fixed electrical current within the conductive member. Forexample, in terms of the surface resistance value, it is, for example,several hundred ohms to several ohms per unit area, and furthermore, theresistance value at which induction heating is made possible is, forexample, several ohm cm or more. As the conductive thin film, forexample, there is a case where it comprises a single type of materialthat has a predetermined electrical resistance, or there is a case wheretwo or more types of materials that have different resistance values arejoined, adhered, deposited, fused, welded, bonded, attached, or pasted.In the former case, the temperature depends on the magnitude of theelectrical current value, which is the electromagnetic signal, and inthe latter case, as a result of the Peltier effect, the temperaturedepends not only on the electrical current value but also theorientation of the current, and not only heating, but cooling alsobecomes possible.

Examples of the “conductive member” include metals, metallic compoundssuch as metal oxides, conductive materials such as alloys,semiconductors, metalloids, and conductive resins, a combination ofthese conductive materials with non-conductive materials such asceramics, glass, and synthetic resins, or it may be a combinationbetween conductive materials. For example, there are cases of aluminum,aluminum oxide, tin oxide, iron, an iron alloy, a nichrome alloy, and amember formed by two types of different conductive materials that havebeen bonded by means of bonding, welding, or joining. By flowing anelectrical current to these members, or in the case of iron or an ironalloy, by applying a temporally oscillating magnetic field, thesemembers can be inductively heated. In a case where two types ofconductive materials have been joined, heating and cooling can beperformed by means of the orientation of the electrical current.

Examples of the shape of the conductive member include a linear form, athin-film form, a foil form, a film form, a thin plate form, a plateform, a long and narrow shape, and a layer form. The conductive membermay be bonded, welded or deposited on a non-conductive member in orderto reinforce the conductive member. The conductive member is controlledto a predetermined temperature by means of the “electromagnetic signal”(an electrical signal or a magnetic signal). Thermodynamic signalsresulting from the application of heat or cold air are excluded from theelectromagnetic signal.

In regard to the wall, the inner wall face thereof faces into the tipform vessel, the outer wall face thereof is on the exterior of the tipform vessel, and it is a tip form vessel wherein the interval betweenthe inner and outer wall faces is integrally formed. That is to say, theportion of the wall that is sandwiched by the inner wall face and theouter wall face of the tip form vessel is, for example, a metal, aresin, or the like, or it is formed as a wall in a solid state in whichthese have been bonded such that they are not freely divided.Consequently, as the conductive member that has been formed as theentire wall or a portion of the wall, in a case where this has aconductive member that is freely separable from the wall, then forexample, conductive members that simply only make contact with the wall,conductive members that are freely detachably installed to the wall bymeans of a screw, or the like, conductive members that are freelydetachably provided with respect to a separate member that is installedto the wall by welding, or the like, and conductive members that arecompletely separated from the wall, are able to be divided, and aretherefore excluded. Consequently, if the conductive member is providedsuch that the wall of the tip form vessel becomes approximately thethickness demanded as the wall of the tip form vessel, then the size ofthe tip form vessel and the scale of the entire device is controlled,and it can be handled without an awareness of the presence of theheating device.

A sixth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip wherein the carrier has a plurality of particle formcarriers, and the enclosing section is provided such that it sandwichesthe plurality of particle form carriers at, at the very least, twopositions within the narrow tube in a state where they are seriallyarranged such that the order thereof becomes constant within the narrowtube, and the plurality of different positions determined beforehand aremade to correspond to the plurality of particle form carriers that arearranged in a predetermined order.

Here, in regard to “arranging the particle form carriers in a single rowsuch that the order thereof becomes constant”, for example, the vesselis made to have a narrow tube that is larger than the outer diameter ofthe particle form carriers, and an inner diameter, or a length and adiameter, that is smaller than two times the outer diameter thereof.

Consequently, the particle form carriers, as locations in which thebiological material is fixed or is fixable, can be identified accordingto the order of the particle form carriers. The outer diameter of such aparticle form carrier is, for example, approximately 0.1 mm to 3 mm, andthe narrow tube is made to have an inner diameter of approximately 0.2mm to 6 mm. The particle form carrier is, for example, a porous body ora solid body in which a functional group that is able to bond to thebiological material is generated or expressed at the surface, or acombination of both. For example, it is formed by a fibrous materialsuch as rubber, silicone, cellulose or nylon, a resin, glass, or ametal.

Amongst the plurality of particle form carriers, a portion (including aplurality of carriers) may be used not for the fixing of the biologicalmaterial but as a marker for indicating standard positions.Consequently, labeling is performed by, in regard to the carriers, theshape thereof, the size, a luminescent material such as a fluorescentmaterial, a pigment, a dye, or the like.

A seventh aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip wherein a particle form carrier arranged at, at the veryleast, one end within the plurality of particle form carriers, hasconcavities and convexities on the surface thereof.

Consequently, even if the enclosing section has circular pierced holes,the particle form carriers do not block the pierced holes and interruptthe flow of fluid.

An eighth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip wherein the carrier is a narrow and long shaped linearform flexible carrier, and the predetermined biological material isfixed or is fixable along the longitudinal direction of the linear formflexible carrier at positions determined beforehand that areidentifiable from the exterior, and the enclosing section has a joiningsection which joins the linear form flexible carrier to the narrow tubeat two points along the longitudinal direction of the linear formflexible carrier, which are separated by a predetermined distance, suchthat the fluid is passable.

Here, the “linear form flexible carrier” is, for example, a string formcarrier, and the string form carrier is enclosed in the dispensing tipform vessel such that it does not become loose, by applying a tensileforce along the longitudinal direction thereof. In regard to the widthor the outer diameter of the string form carrier, for example,approximately 0.1 mm to 3 mm is suitable. The string form carrier is,for example, a porous body or a solid body in which a functional groupthat is able to bond to the biological material is generated orexpressed at the surface, or a combination of both. For example, it isformed by a fibrous material such as rubber, silicone, cellulose ornylon, a resin, or a metal. It is preferable for this linear formflexible carrier to be provided such that it does not make contact withthe narrow tube. Furthermore, it is preferable for the biologicalmaterial to be fixed along the longitudinal direction of the carrierwith a spacing.

A ninth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip wherein the carrier is a non-flexible narrow and longshaped linear form non-flexible carrier, the predetermined biologicalmaterial is fixed or is fixable along the longitudinal direction of thelinear form non-flexible carrier at positions determined beforehand thatare identifiable from the exterior, and the enclosing section hasajoining section which joins the linear form non-flexible carrier to thenarrow tube such that the fluid is passable.

Here, in regard to the width or the outer diameter of the linear formnon-flexible carrier, for example, approximately 0.1 mm to 3 mm issuitable. The linear form non-flexible carrier is, for example, a porousbody or a solid body in which a functional group that is able to bond tothe biological material is generated or expressed at the surface, or acombination of both. For example, it is formed by a fibrous materialsuch as rubber, silicone, cellulose or nylon, a resin, or a metal. Thejoining section is made to join the linear form non-flexible carrier tothe narrow tube at, at the very least, one point thereof.

A tenth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip wherein within the narrow tube in which the carrier isenclosed, the capacity of the space in which fluid is storable isapproximately several microliters to several hundred microliters.

Here, the “space in which fluid is storable” generally refers to thespace that is created between the surface of the carrier that isenclosed in the narrow tube and the inner wall face of the narrow tube.

By restricting the capacity of the narrow tube in this manner, even if amicroamount of liquid, that is to say liquid of a volume of severalmicroliters to several hundred microliters, has been suctioned into thenarrow tube, the liquid can be evenly and uniformly made to make contactwith the surface of the carrier. This microamount is, normally inbiochemistry, particularly in the field of DNA, an amount of materialthat is easily extracted from an organism and easily handled.Furthermore, as the tip form vessel, a wide tube that communicates withthe narrow tube can be provided in addition to the narrow tube, and forexample, a variety of liquid quantities can be handled by making it acapacity that is several times to several tens of times the capacity ofthe narrow tube.

An eleventh aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment apparatus comprising: a nozzle head that has one or aplurality of consecutive nozzles that perform suction and discharge ofgas; a suction and discharge mechanism that performs suction anddischarge of gas via the nozzles; one or two or more biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tips that are installed or are installable tothe nozzles, in which a fixed carrier, to which biological material isfixable or is fixed, is enclosed; a stage to which a liquid storagesection group, in which a variety of liquids are stored or are storable,is provided; a movement device that relatively moves the nozzle headwith respect to the liquid storage section group; and a control sectionthat controls the amount, the speed, the frequency, the time, or theposition of the suction and discharge of the nozzles based on; thestructure of the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, thematerial conditions comprising the type of biological material that isfixed to the carrier or is present within the fluid, the concentration,the amount of liquid, and the coordinate position containing the storageposition of the liquid, and the processing contents.

Here, the “processing contents” are, for example, reaction, cleaning,transporting, dispensing, separating, extracting, heating, cooling,clarifying, measuring, mixing, deviating, elution, stirring, or thelike, or a series of these processes that are combined according to apredetermined order or a predetermined time schedule according to aprocessing objective while including overlaps. “Time” includes theduration time or the timing of suction and discharge. By setting theduration time or the timing, intermittent, continuous or periodicsetting of the suction and discharge is made possible.

In the case of “reaction” processing, for example, according to thematerial conditions, in regard to the vessel position in which thecorresponding reagent is stored, a control in which; the suction anddischarge that is determined by the conditions is performed at apredetermined speed, and suction and discharge is repeated at a liquidquantity of, for example, 80 percent of the capacity of the carrierenclosing region of the narrow tube, is performed. In regard to thefrequency of the suction and discharge thereof, the determined controlis performed according to the material conditions. In the case of“cleaning” processing, for example, according to the materialconditions, in regard to the vessel position in which the cleaningsolution is stored, a control in which; the suction and discharge thatis determined according to the process is performed at a predeterminedspeed, and suction and discharge is repeated a predetermined number oftimes, is performed. In the same manner, control of the suction anddischarge according to the process is performed. In regard to the“speed”, for example, since in a case where the handled material is DNA,the size thereof is small compared to proteins, it is necessary toincrease the speed in order to increase the encounterability betweenDNA. Furthermore, the speed differs depending on the contents ofprocessing, and in the case of cleaning and stirring, the speed of thesuction and discharge thereof is low compared to a case where thereaction process is performed.

The “structure of the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip”also includes the shape of the tip, the position, the shape, and thecharacteristics of the enclosed carrier, the shape of the enclosingsection, or the like. Determining the action of the suction anddischarge according to the “type of the biological material” means that,for example, in a case where it is generally smaller than the size ofproteins, such as in the manner of genetic material such as DNA, it iseasier to handle if the handled liquid quantity is small, and the speedis fast. This is because the smaller the size, the encounterabilitygenerally becomes low. Here, the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip comprises, for example; a tip form vessel that has aninstallation opening part that is installed to the nozzle, and a narrowtube that has an opening through which inflow and outflow of fluid ispossible by means of the suction and discharge of the gas, a carrier, inwhich a predetermined biological material is fixed or is fixable at aplurality of different positions determined beforehand that areidentifiable from the exterior, that has a size or a shape that is ableto pass through the opening, and an enclosing section that is providedto the tip form vessel that encloses the carrier within the narrow tubein a state where it is able to make contact with the fluid that hasflown into the narrow tube from the opening.

A twelfth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixed carriertreatment apparatus further comprising a light reception device thatreceives light from the carrier stored within the tip form vessel.

In regard to the light reception by means of the light reception device,there is a case where it is collectively performed with respect to aplurality of biological material fixed carrier enclosing tips that areinstalled to a nozzle head that has a plurality of consecutive nozzles,and there is a case where light reception is serially performed for eachtip by means of the light reception device. In the latter case, it isperformed by using a movement device that relatively moves between thelight reception device and the vessel while relatively transporting thetip or the light reception device serially one at a time. In that case,since the measurement is performed by shifting the time, some kinds ofreagents, for example, the PCR reaction solution in the previous processof PCR, in a case where extraction of DNA is performed, or a substratesolution to be injected in the case of chemiluminescence, need bedispensed immediately before reaction or a fixed time before reaction.Consequently, dispensing is not performed simultaneously, and it ispreferable for dispensing to be performed by temporally shifting one ata time and providing a time difference. In a case where fluorescence ismeasured, a luminescent device that irradiates a predeterminedexcitation light into the vessel is further provided.

A thirteenth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment apparatus wherein the capacity of a space in whichliquid is storable within a narrow tube, in which the carrier isenclosed, is approximately several microliters to several hundredmicroliters.

Consequently, in regard to the liquid storage provided on the exteriorof the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, the severalmicroliters to several hundred microliters of liquid must be storablesuch that it is able to be suctioned into the narrow tube through theopening of the narrow tube.

A fourteenth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier storage device wherein a temperature raising and lowering bodythat raises and lowers the temperature as a result of a signal from theexterior is provided in the vicinity of, making contact with, or able tobe in the vicinity of or making contact with, the outside of the narrowtube of the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip. Here, the“temperature raising and lowering body” refers to a member or a devicethat is able to raise or lower the temperature thereof according to asignal from the exterior. The “signal” is, in a case where thetemperature raising and lowering body is a conductive member, anelectromagnetic signal, that is to say, a signal resulting fromelectricity or magnetism. It is also possible to detect the temperatureresulting from the temperature raising and lowering body and generatethe signal based on the temperature.

It is preferable for the temperature raising and lowering body to berelatively movably provided with respect to the biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip. Furthermore, in this case, the controlsection, in addition to control of the suction and discharge,consequently controls the temperature control based on the processingcontents.

A fifteenth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment apparatus wherein the nozzle head has a collectivenozzle head in which a plurality of consecutive nozzles are arrangedalong the column direction and an individual nozzle head that has atleast one nozzle, the suction and discharge mechanism has a collectivesuction and discharge mechanism that simultaneously performs suction anddischarge of gas with respect to the plurality of consecutive nozzles ofthe collective nozzle head, and an individual suction and dischargemechanism that individually performs suction and discharge of gas withrespect to each nozzle of the individual nozzle head, and the movementdevice has, a nozzle head movement device that relatively moves thecollective nozzle head and the individual nozzle head in the rowdirection with respect to the liquid storage section group, and atransporting route that includes a column transporting route that is onthe movement route of the collective nozzle head and along the columndirection and a row transporting route that is on the movement route ofthe individual nozzle head and along the row direction, and has a queuedroute transporting device that transports a transport storage section,in which tips that have been detached from the collective nozzle head orliquid that has been discharged from the collective nozzle head arerespectively storable, along the transporting route.

Here, there is no need for the “column direction” and “row direction” tonecessarily be orthogonal such as in an X direction (horizontaldirection) and a Y direction (vertical direction), and a case where theyare oblique is acceptable. The collective nozzle head and the individualnozzle head may be individually movable. Furthermore, if the queuedroute transporting device has a row transporting route and a columntransporting route on the movement route of the nozzle head, forexample, it may be a case where it has a closed transporting route, suchas a square shape or a polygonal shape, or it may be a case where it hasan open transporting route. Here, the “transport storage section” is aportion that stores the tip or the liquid in the transporting device,and it is preferable if, at the very lest, it has the same number oftransport storage sections as the number of nozzles of the collectivenozzle head.

A sixteenth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment apparatus wherein the nozzle head has a plurality ofconsecutive collective nozzles and one individual nozzle arranged alongthe column direction, the suction and discharge mechanism simultaneouslyperforms suction and discharge of gas with respect to the collectivenozzles and the individual nozzle of the nozzle head, and the movementdevice has, a nozzle head movement device that relatively moves thenozzle head along the row direction with respect to a stage that has theliquid storage section group, and a transporting route that includes acolumn transporting route that is on the movement route of thecollective nozzles and along the column direction and a row transportingroute that is on the movement route of the individual nozzle and alongthe row direction, and has a queued route transporting device thattransports a transport storage section, in which tip form vessels thathave been detached from the collective nozzle or liquid that has beendischarged from the collective nozzle head are respectively storable,along the transporting route.

A seventeenth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment apparatus wherein a light reception device, whichreceives light within the tips or the tubes that have been detached, isprovided at a predetermined position along the transporting route of thequeued route transporting device.

An eighteenth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment method comprising: a fixing step for fixing apredetermined biological material to a carrier such that it isassociated with a predetermined position by a predeterminedrelationship; an enclosing step for storing the carrier, which is onethat is able to pass through the opening, to which the biologicalmaterial is fixed within a tip form vessel which has an installationopening part that is installable to one or a plurality of consecutivenozzles that perform suction and discharge of gas, and a narrow tubethat has an opening, through which inflow and outflow of fluid ispossible by means of the suction and discharge of gas, and is narrowerthan the nozzle, enclosing the carrier within the narrow tube in a statewhere it is able to make contact with the fluid that has flowed in fromthe opening to within the vessel by using an enclosing section, andinstalling to the nozzle at the installation opening part of the vessel;and a reaction step for moving a nozzle to which said tip form vesselhas been installed to a predetermined liquid storage section, andbringing into contact and reacting the biological material fixed to thecarrier and a solution stored in the liquid storage section bycontrolling the operation of suction and discharge, which comprises theamount of suction and discharge via the nozzle, the speed, thefrequency, the time, or the location, based on the shape of thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, the shape of thecarrier, the material conditions comprising the type of biologicalmaterial that is fixed to the carrier or is present in the solution, theconcentration, the amount of solution, or the position coordinate whichincludes the storage position of the solution, and the processingcontents.

A nineteenth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment method that, following the reaction step, has a lightreception step for receiving light from the carrier stored within thetip form vessel.

A twentieth aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment method wherein the reaction step has a temperatureraising and lowering step for raising and lowering the temperaturewithin the narrow tube of the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip.

A twenty-first aspect of the invention is a biological material fixedcarrier treatment method wherein the fixing step fixes various types ofbiological materials (probe materials) to fixable particle form carriersby bonding the biological material to each type, the enclosing stepincludes a step for cleaning the enclosed particle form carriers byusing a suitable solvent, and the reaction step has a step forperforming suction and discharge of a liquid from the liquid storagesection, in which a liquid containing the labeled target material isstored, at a predetermined speed and frequency, and a step for cleaningthe particle form carriers by performing suction and discharge of acleaning solution from the liquid storage section, in which a cleaningsolution is stored, at a predetermined speed and frequency.

Effects of the Invention

According to the first aspect of the invention, the carrier is fixed oris fixable with various types of biological materials, and it becomespossible to perform processing while the carrier, which is able to flowout from the opening, is within the narrow tube. Consequently,adsorption control and suction control to the inner wall, which uses amagnetic force in order to retain the carrier in the narrow tube, ismade unnecessary, the complex reaction process is simplified, andprocessing can be easily executed by a small-scale device configuration.

Furthermore, according to the present aspect of the invention, in regardto the carrier in which a variety of types of biological materials arefixed or are fixable, the enclosing and the removal thereof is performedby a separate route to the route in which suction and discharge offluid, or the material that is suspended in the fluid, is performed.Consequently, a process for separating the fluid and the carrier is madeunnecessary, the complex reaction process is simplified, and processingcan be easily executed by a small-scale device configuration.

Moreover, according to the present aspect of the invention, by merelyperforming suction and discharge of fluid while enclosing the carrierwithin the narrow tube, and by moving the narrow tube, a variety ofprocesses, for example, reaction, washing, temperature control,separation, stirring, dispensing, clarifying, isolation, elution, andextraction can be performed, and therefore, processing can be performedefficiently, quickly, and easily.

Furthermore, according to the present aspect of the invention, since thereaction with the biological material fixed to the carrier up untilmeasurement can be performed while enclosed within the narrow tube, thetarget process can be performed consistently, without being manuallyhandled, and automatically, and therefore, a process that has a highreliability can be performed with certainty. Moreover, by selecting thetip such that it has a shape that is suitable for the speed of the fluidand the liquid quantity to be handled, it can be made to handle avariety of processes. Therefore it has generality and diversity.

According to the second aspect of the invention, as the enclosingsection, a carrier blocking member is provided as a separate body to thetip form vessel. Consequently, by installing the carrier blocking memberto the tip form vessel, the carrier can be easily enclosed. Furthermore,by installing the carrier blocking member such that it is freelydetachable, the tip form member can be reused, or it becomes possible todirectly extract or collect the material adsorbed on the carrier.

According to the third aspect of the invention, as the enclosingsection, a protrusion section, in which the wall face of the tip formvessel has been made to protrude, is provided. Consequently, as well asdecreasing the number of components, and reducing the production cost,the carrier can be enclosed with certainty.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, ajoining section isprovided as the enclosing section, the carrier is joined, and it can beinstalled to the tip form vessel with certainty.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, by flowing an electricalcurrent to a conductive member that is formed on the entire, or on apart of, the wall of the tip form vessel, and performing heat generationof the conductive member, and hence heating or cooling the carrier andthe liquid stored in the tip form vessel, temperature control of thereaction can be performed.

Consequently, compared to a case where a heating device, such as aheater, is provided on the outside of the wall of the tip form vessel,since it is directly making contact with the inside of the tip formvessel, the reflection of heat by the wall is prevented, the heat can bemore efficiently transmitted with respect to the inside of the tip formvessel, the thermal efficiency is high, and an accurate temperaturecontrol can be performed.

Furthermore, since the wall of the tip form vessel is formed by aconductive member, the thermal efficiency is high, it is not necessaryto provide a heating device that is larger than necessary, such as ametallic block, to the outside of the tip form vessel, and it issufficient to only provide the driving device to the exterior.Consequently, the structure of the exterior is simplified, and theentire device scale can be reduce.

Since an optical temperature raising and lowering body can be providedto the tip form vessels beforehand, it is not necessary to provide aheating device that satisfies a variety of conditions, to the exterior,and it has generality and diversity.

Since the conductive member directly makes contact with the inside ofthe tip form vessel, temperature control of the liquid can be performedwith a high accuracy and faithfulness.

The time from applying the signal to the tip form vessel and theconductive member for heating or cooling with respect to the liquiduntil the liquid temperature becomes a uniform temperature distributionis shortened, and the process can be quickly and efficiently performed.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, a plurality of particleform carriers are used as the carrier, and they are enclosed within thetip form vessel in a state where they are serially arranged such thatthe order thereof becomes constant. Consequently, by specifying thearrangement order of the particle form carriers, it becomes possible tospecify the biological materials, and the specification of thebiological material can be performed with certainty based on thearrangement order with a high reliability.

Since it is possible to divide each of the particle form carriers, thenby collecting the particle form carriers in the same arrangement order,it becomes possible to extract or collect the biological materials foreach carrier.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the particle formcarrier arranged at, at the very least, one end within the plurality ofparticle form carriers stored within the narrow tube, has concavitiesand convexities on the surface thereof. Consequently, even if theenclosing section has circular pierced holes, the particle form carrierdoes not block the pierced holes and interrupt the flow of fluid, andthe contact with the fluid is made certain.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, an enclosing sectionthat is joined to a flexible narrow and long shaped linear flexiblecarrier is used. Consequently, the outflow from the opening of thecarrier is prevented, and it can be enclosed with certainty.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, by using an enclosingsection that is joined to a non-flexible narrow and long shaped linearnon-flexible carrier, and by joining to the linear non-flexible carrierat, at the very least, one position, outflow from the opening of thecarrier is prevented, and it can be enclosed with certainty.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, within the narrow tube,by suppressing the capacity of the space formed between the surface ofthe carrier enclosed in the narrow tube and the inner wall face of thenarrow tube, to the amount of liquid used for processing (microamount),the contact between the liquid suctioned into the narrow tube and theentire surface of the carrier is made possible, and handling with a highreliability with respect to the microamount of liquid is made possible.

In the eleventh aspect of the invention, the biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip, in which a carrier, to which a biologicalmaterial is fixed or is fixable, is enclosed within the narrow tube, isinstalled to the nozzle, and the amount, the speed, the frequency, orthe position of the suction and discharge with respect to the nozzle iscontrolled based on the material conditions, which comprise the shape ofthe tip thereof, the shape of the carrier, the type of the biologicalmaterial that is fixed on the carrier or is to be suspended, the amountof liquid, and the coordinate position which includes the storageposition of the liquid, and the processing conditions, which comprisethe time and the temperature of incubation, or the processing contents.

Consequently, according to the present aspect of the invention, as wellas using a biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip with apredetermined structure, by performing fine controls with respect to thesuction and discharge, processes such as reaction, stirring andcleaning, on the biological material which is fixed or is fixable to thecarrier that is enclosed within the tip, can be easily, consistently,quickly, and efficiently performed with a high reliability. Furthermore,according to the present aspect of the invention, by changing thecontents of the control, a variety of processes can be handled, andtherefore, it has generality and diversity.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention or the nineteenthaspect of the invention, by receiving light from the carrier, processingup until measurement can be performed more consistently, quickly, andefficiently with a high reliability.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention or the twentiethaspect of the invention, within the narrow tube, in a state where thecarrier has been enclosed, by suppressing the capacity of the space inwhich the fluid is storable to a microamount, the contact between theliquid suctioned into the narrow tube and the entire surface of thecarrier is made possible, and a handling with a high reliability withrespect to the microamount of liquid is made possible.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, temperature controlis performed on the narrow tube of the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip, and consequently on the carrier enclosed therein, byapproaching a temperature raising and lowering body from the exterior.Consequently, compared to a case where temperature control is performedand reaction with the carrier is performed by heating a vessel providedoutside the tip, the reaction can be more efficiently performed withcertainty.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the invention, the collectivenozzle head and the individual nozzle head is simultaneously movable inthe row direction, and a queued route transporting device having atransport route provided with the column transporting route and the rowtransporting route, is provided on the movement route of the collectivenozzle head and the individual nozzle head. Consequently, as a result ofthe transporting device, it is processable by either the collectivenozzle head or the individual nozzle head, a plurality of nozzles and asuction and discharge mechanism are not arranged in a queue form, and avariety of complex processes are made possible by a simple and compactstructure using a small number of nozzles.

Furthermore, at the time the suction and discharge process is performedwith respect to a plurality of processing subjects, in regard to thecommon processing items, by collectively performing processing using thecollective nozzle head, and in regard to the processing items in whichit is necessary to individually perform processing, by performingprocessing individually using the individual nozzle head, a variety ofprocesses can be efficiently and quickly performed. In particular, inregard to a case where a measurement is performed individually, it issuitable for a case where a necessary reagent is added directly beforethe measurement thereof, or a case where a reagent with a need formaintaining a predetermined temperature is added directly beforeprocessing that is performed individually.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, as well asdemonstrating the same effects as the aforementioned fifteenth aspect ofthe invention, since suction and discharge of the collective nozzle andthe individual nozzle can be further simultaneously performed with thesame suction and discharge mechanism, the structure is simpler.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, by providing alight reception device at, at the very least, one position on thetransporting route of the queued route transporting device, processesthat handle the nozzles that are processed with a plurality ofconsecutive nozzles, and serial measurement using a small number oflight reception devices, can be performed. Consequently, the device canbe simplified. In particular, since reagents that only become necessarydirectly before light reception by the light reception device, can beserially charged by the individual nozzle head directly before lightreception, light reception can be performed efficiently with a highreliability.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, the biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip, in which a carrier, to which abiological material is fixed or is fixable, is enclosed within thenarrow tube, is installed to the nozzle, and the amount, the speed, thefrequency, or the position of the suction and discharge with respect tothe nozzle is controlled based on the material conditions, whichcomprise the shape of the tip thereof, the shape of the carrier, thetype of the biological material that is fixed on the carrier or is to besuspended, the amount of liquid, and the coordinate position whichincludes the storage position of the liquid, and the processingconditions, which comprise the time and the temperature of incubation,or the processing contents. Consequently, according to the presentaspect of the invention, as well as using a biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip with a predetermined structure, by performing finecontrols with respect to the suction and discharge, processes such asreaction with the suctioned liquid, the stirring thereof, and cleaning,on the biological material which is fixed or is fixable to the carrierthat is enclosed within the tip, can be easily, consistently, quickly,and efficiently performed with a high reliability. Furthermore, bychanging the contents of the control, a variety of processes can behandled, and therefore, it has generality and diversity.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, since thebiological material is made to bond to each particle form carrier, andeach type, it does not distribute as a result of the dispensing process,and since fixing can be performed, the process is simplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1] is a drawing showing a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip according to a first and a second embodiment.

[FIG. 2] is a cross-sectional view showing a biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip according to a third to a fifth embodiment.

[FIG. 3] is a cross-sectional view showing a biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip according to a sixth to an eighth embodiment.

[FIG. 4] is a cross-sectional view showing a biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip according to a ninth and a tenth embodiment.

[FIG. 5] is a plan view showing an entire biological material fixedcarrier treatment apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment.

[FIG. 6] is a side view showing a side view of a biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip treatment apparatus according to a twelfthembodiment.

[FIG. 7] is a flow diagram showing a biological material fixed carriertreatment method according to a thirteenth embodiment.

[FIG. 8] is a flow diagram showing a biological material fixed carriertreatment method according to a fourteenth embodiment.

[FIG. 9] is a flow diagram showing a biological material fixed carriertreatment method according to a fifteenth embodiment.

[FIG. 10] is a plan view showing an entire biological material fixedcarrier treatment apparatus containing another biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip treatment apparatus according to the twelfthembodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, as well providing an enclosingsection to the tip form vessel and enclosing a biological material fixedcarrier such that it becomes able to make contact with the fluid, bymaking the fixed positions measurable from the exterior, a consistentautomation of a process from a sufficient reaction between thebiological material and the biological material contained in the liquidthat has flowed in until arriving at the measurement, is achieved.

Next, the embodiments of the present invention are explained based onthe drawings. The explanation of the embodiments should in no way beinterpreted as limiting the present invention unless particularlyspecified.

FIG. 1( a) shows a cross-sectional view of a biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 11 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 11comprises a tip form vessel 12, which has a translucency, that has awide tube 13 as a storage section in which the liquid is storable, and anarrow tube 15 that is formed narrower than the wide tube 13. The upperend of the wide tube 13 has an installation opening part 14 that is tobe installed to a nozzle, which is not shown in the drawing, thatperforms suction and discharge of gas. An opening 16, through whichfluid inflow and outflow is possible by means of the suction anddischarge of gas, is provided on the end of the narrow tube 15.

A filter 20 is installed on the somewhat lower side of the installationopening part 14 of the wide tube 13, and it is possible for gas to passtherethrough. A thread form carrier 17 with a flexibility is stored inthe narrow tube 15 in a state where a tensile force has been applied,and in a state where it has been linearly stretched along the centralaxis of the narrow tube 15 such that it does not make contact with theinner wall of the narrow tube 15. In regard to the thread form carrier17, the top side thereof is installed by means of a centering member 18that is installed by utilizing an approximately funnel form transitivesection 15 a from the wide tube 13 of the tip form vessel 12 to thenarrow tube 15 and engaging thereto, and the bottom side thereof isinstalled by means of a centering member 19 that is installed byengaging the opening 16 of the tip form vessel 12. Consequently, thethread form carrier 17 is provided along the axis of the narrow tube 15.

As shown in FIG. 1( b), the centering member 18 has an engaging tube 22that is formed such that it is tapered such that it engages thetransitive section, and the engaging tube 22 has a plurality ofsupporting plates 22 a that are formed in a radial form from an axle 21,to which the thread form carrier 17 is installed, that is formed alongthe central axis of the engaging tube 22. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.1( c), the centering member 19 has, from a circularly formed flange 24,a plurality of supporting plates 24 a that are installed to the flange24, which are formed in a radial form from an axle 23, to which thethread form carrier 17 is installed, and which is formed along thecentral axis of the flange 24. Consequently, although the passage offluid is possible through the centering members 18 and 19, itcorresponds to a carrier passage blocking member of the enclosingsection that encloses the thread form carrier 17 in the narrow tube 15,such that the thread form carrier 17 is not discharged from the opening16.

Next, FIG. 1( d) shows a cross-sectional view of a biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip 25 according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention. In regard to the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip 25, as well as using the aforementioned tip form vessel12, it uses a non-flexible rod form carrier 26 within the tip formvessel 12 instead of the thread form carrier 17. In regard to the threadform carrier 26, the top side thereof is installed by means of acentering member 27 that engages and is installed to an approximatelyfunnel form transitive section from the wide tube 13 of the tip formvessel 12 to the narrow tube 15, and the bottom side thereof isinstalled by means of an installed centering member 28, that engages andis installed to the opening 16 of the tip form vessel 12.

As shown in FIG. 1( e), the centering member 27 is provided to a taperedengaging tube 31, and it has a plurality of supporting plates 31 a thatare formed in a radial form from an axle 30, to which the rod formcarrier 26 is installed, that is formed along the central axis of theengaging tube 31. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1( f), the centeringmember 28 is provided to a cyclically formed flange 34, and it has aplurality of supporting plates 33 a that are formed in a radial formfrom an axle 32, to which the rod form carrier 26 is installed, thatextend along the aforementioned central axis. Consequently, although thepassage of fluid is possible through the centering members 27 and 28, itcorresponds to a carrier passage blocking member of the enclosingsection that encloses the rod form carrier 26 in the narrow tube 15,such that the rod form carrier 26 is not discharged from the opening 16.

FIG. 2( a) shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 35 according to a third embodimentof the present invention. The biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip 35 has a tip form vessel 36, which has a translucency,that has a wide tube 37 as the storage section, and a narrow tube 39that is formed narrower than the wide tube 37. The upper end of the widetube has an installation opening part 38 that is to be installed to anozzle, which is not shown in the drawing, that performs suction anddischarge of gas. An opening 40, through which fluid inflow and outflowis possible by means of the suction and discharge of gas, is provided onthe end of the narrow tube 39.

A filter 44 is installed on the somewhat lower side of the installationopening part 38 of the wide tube 37, and it is possible for gas to passtherethrough. Furthermore, on the bottom side of the wide tube 37, athin mesh form member 43, which is the carrier passage blocking section,is provided by utilizing an approximately funnel form transitive section39 a between the narrow tube 39 and the wide tube 37, and it is held bya ring 42. In regard to the transitive section 39 a, a plurality ofsupporting plates 46 that are supported by the transitive section 39 a,are provided in order to support the mesh form member 43. A plurality ofparticle form carriers 41 (five in this example) are stored within thenarrow tube 39, and on the lower side thereof, a pierced porous member45, in which passage of fluid is possible, is installed to the narrowtube 39 as the carrier passage blocking member. It is preferable toinstall the porous member 45 such that a restriction or step differenceformed on the narrow tube 39 is utilized.

Here, the outer diameter of the particle form carrier 41 is, forexample, approximately 1.8 mm, the inner diameter of the narrow tube is,for example, approximately 2.0 mm, and the length between the piercedporous member 45 and the mesh form member 43 is, for example,approximately 50 mm.

Furthermore, in a case where a plurality of particle form carriers arearranged, in order to make the arrangement position clear, it ispreferable to apply coloration, or to arrange standard particle carriersthat have been coated by a fluorescent material in a predeterminedposition.

FIG. 2( b) shows a cross-sectional view of a biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 47 according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 47 has atip form vessel 48, which has a translucency, that has a wide tube 49 asthe storage section, and a narrow tube 51 that is formed thinner thanthe wide tube 49 and is detachably provided with respect to the widetube 49. The upper end of the wide tube 49 has an installation openingpart 50 that is to be installed to a nozzle, which is not shown in thedrawing, that performs suction and discharge of gas. An opening 52,through which fluid inflow and outflow is possible by means of thesuction and discharge of gas, is provided on the end of the narrow tube51. In regard to the lower end of the wide tube 49, the narrow tube 51is, with respect to an engaging section 55 that is provided such that itsurrounds a hole 54 that is provided such that it passes through thecentral axis thereof, engagably provided to the upper side thereof. In acase where the upper end of the narrow tube 51 has engaged the engagingsection 55, it is preferable to perform welding by means of ultrasonicwaves, an adhesive, or heat, such that the narrow tube 51 does notdetach. The tip form vessel 48 is, for example, formed by glass,polyethylene, polystyrene, or polypropylene.

Furthermore, a plurality of particle form carriers 41 (five in thisexample) are stored within the narrow tube 51. On the lower side of thenarrow tube 51 thereof, a small hole or a space of a level in which thepassage of the particle form carriers 41 is blocked, and a protrusionsection 53 that protrudes in the radial direction thereof such that ahole is formed in which the passage of fluid is not obstructed by thepresence of the particle form carriers, are provided. The size of thehole provided on the lower end of the wide tube 49 is a size in whichthe passage of the particle form carriers 41 is blocked. The particleform carriers 41 are formed by a water absorbing material, a porousplastic, a resin, or the like.

Here, for example, the outer diameter of the narrow tube isapproximately 2.5 mm, and the inner diameter is approximately 2 mm.Furthermore, the outer diameter of the engaging section 55 isapproximately 5 mm, and the inner diameter thereof corresponds to theouter diameter of the narrow tube. Furthermore, the length from theprotrusion section 53 to the hole 54 is, for example, approximately 50mm, and the diameter of the hole 54 is, for example, approximately 1 mmsuch that the particle form carriers 41 do not pass through, and thelength of the wide tube 49 is, for example, 50 mm.

FIG. 2( c) shows a cross-sectional view of a biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 56 according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 56differs to the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 47according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 2( b) in that aparticle form carrier 57 with concavities and convexities on the surfaceis substituted as a replacement for the particle form carrier 41 that isarranged at the lower end of the particle form carriers 41 that areenclosed within the narrow tube 51. Consequently, a situation in whichthe particle form carrier 41 adheres to the protrusion section 53 andobstructs the flow of fluid can be prevented.

FIG. 3( a) shows a cross-sectional view of a biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 58 according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 58differs from the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tips 47 and56 of the fourth and the fifth embodiments described in FIG. 2( b) andFIG. 2( c) in that a non-flexible wire form carrier 59 is enclosedwithin the narrow tube 51 instead of the particle form carrier 41. Thewire form carrier 59 is installed at the upper end and the lower endthereof to installation members 60 and 61 that are formed wider than thewire of the wire form carrier 59. By forming the size of theinstallation sections 60 and 61 larger than the inner diameter of thehole 54 and the protrusion section 53, discharge from the installationmembers 60 and 61, and accordingly, the wire form carrier 59 from theopening 52, is obstructed. The installation members 60 and 61 themselvesare not installed to the narrow tube 51, and therefore, they are notfixed with respect to the tip form vessel 48. For example, a portion ofthe wall of the narrow tube 51, that is to say, the outside portion, isformed with a conductive thin film 51 b with a predetermined resistancevalue, and it is heatable to a predetermined temperature by flowing anelectrical current to the conductive thin film 51 b.

FIG. 3( b) shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 62 according to a seventhembodiment of the present invention. The biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 62 differs to the biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 35 according to the first embodiment in that anon-flexible wire form carrier 63 is enclosed within the narrow tube 39instead of a plurality of particle form carriers 41. However, it differsfrom the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 58 according tothe sixth embodiment in that the non-flexible wire form carrier isinstalled within the narrow tube 39 by means of an installation member64 that passes fluid, and it is fixed with respect to the tip formvessel 36. The non-flexible wire form carrier 63 is installed such thatit is maintained along the central axis of the narrow tube 39.

FIG. 3( c) is a cross-sectional schematic view of a biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip 65 according to an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip65 differs to the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 62according to the seventh embodiment in that a non-flexible rod formcarrier 66, which has a wide width, is installed and enclosed within thenarrow tube 39 by means of an installation member 67 that passes fluid.The installation member 67 is, for example, a pierced porous member.

FIG. 4( a) is a cross-sectional schematic view of a biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip 68 according to a ninth embodiment of thepresent invention. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip68 differs to the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 65according to the eighth embodiment in that a rod form carrier 69 isenclosed within the narrow tube 51 without being fixed. Since thethickness of the rod form carrier 69 is larger than the hole or thespace formed within the narrow tube by means of the protrusion section,it is not discharged from the opening 52.

FIG. 4( b) shows a biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 70according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. The biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 70 differs to the biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 58 according to the fourthembodiment in that it has a particle form carrier 57 that hasconcavities and convexities on the surface, and the installation member61, to which the needle form carrier 59 is installed, is prevented fromsealing of the hole formed by the protrusion section 53.

FIG. 5 is a planar schematic view representing an entire biologicalmaterial fixed carrier treatment apparatus 10 according to an eleventhembodiment of the present invention.

The biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus 10 has: abiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80,which has a suction and discharge mechanism, and installs the biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 35 on a nozzle, and performs asuction and discharge process with respect to the biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip 35; a tip processing region 81 forperforming, suction and discharge with respect to the biologicalmaterial fixed carrier, dispensing into an exterior vessel, stirring,washing, extraction, transport, reaction, or the like, by performingsuction or discharge of a suspension containing various specimens,reagents, or the like, within the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip 35; a reagent dispensing region 82 for dispensing areagent for measurement, or the like, to within the biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip by using a single nozzle possessed by thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80;and a measurement region 83 that obtains optical information forexecuting measurement in regard to the biological material fixed carrierthat is enclosed within the biological material fixed carrier enclosingtip 35.

In regard to the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tipprocessing device 80 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, suction and dischargeof gas is performed using a nozzle that is communicated with acollective suction and discharge mechanism and an individual suction anddischarge mechanism. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tipprocessing device 80 has a collective nozzle head 84 that has aplurality (eight consecutive in this example) of nozzles 117 that arearranged in the column direction (the vertical direction in thedrawing), and an individual nozzle head 84′ that has a single nozzlethat performs suction and discharge independently to the collectivenozzle head 84. In regard to the collective nozzle head 84, as opposedto the suction and discharge being simultaneously performed by thecollective suction and discharge mechanism with respect to the pluralityof consecutive nozzles 117, the suction and discharge is performed withrespect to the nozzle of the individual nozzle head 84′ independently tothe eight consecutive nozzles 117 by an individual suction and dischargemechanism. In the drawing, the reference symbols of the components, orthe like, that belong to the individual nozzle head 84′ are indicated byattaching a dash to the reference symbol of the components, or the like,that belong to the corresponding collective nozzle head 84.

In FIG. 6, only the collective suction and discharge mechanism of thecollective nozzle head 84 is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the collectivesuction and discharge mechanism has an engaging section 116 that isprovided to a somewhat upper section than the lower end of the nozzle117, and a rod 112 for sliding a plunger 115 a within a cylinder 115that is joined to the nozzle 117. Furthermore, the eight rods 112 areinstalled in eight respective notch sections that are provided on theedge of a driving plate 123 (reference symbol 123′ represents a drivingplate of the individual suction and discharge mechanism) in whichvertical movement is possible for each, such that they sit on eightconsecutive end sections 112 a (reference symbol 112 a′ represents anend portion of the individual suction and discharge mechanism), thathave a larger diameter than the diameter of the rods 112 and protrude inthe radial direction. Hence, the collective nozzle head 84 and theindividual nozzle head 84′ simultaneously move in the row direction (thehorizontal direction or the left and right directions on the drawing).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the driving plate 123 is joined to anut section 113 that screws to a ball screw 114. The rods 112 areenergized in the downward direction at all times by means of a springthat is provided to the cylinder 115. Consequently, the rods 112 areable to be raised by the nut sections 113 in a case where they move inthe upward direction, but in a case where they are lowered in thedownward direction, they are lowered not as a result of the nut sections113, but because of the spring force. The ball screws 114 arerotationally driven by a motor 110 (reference symbol 110′ represents themotor of the individual suction and discharge mechanism) provided to across-sectional U-shaped supporting member 111 (reference symbol 111′represents the supporting member of the individual suction and dischargemechanism), and as a result, the driving plate 123 and the eight rods112 vertically move.

In regard to the raising and lowering of the nozzle itself, although itis independent of the individual nozzle head 84′ and the collectivenozzle head 84, the horizontal movement in the row direction (the leftand right directions in FIG. 7) is integrated. The individual nozzlehead 84′ is, in regard to the reagent dispensing region 82, used fordispensing reagents for measurement within the biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 35, or the like, that are stored within the tipstorage section 102. In the reagent dispensing region 82, a reagentstorage section 77 that stores predetermined reagents that are suctionedby the nozzle head 84′, and a predetermined tip 78, which is in a statewhere it is installable to the nozzle head 84′, for example, afilter-containing tip, are provided. Furthermore, the reagent storagesection 77 is, for example, provided with a constant temperature devicefor retaining the reagents at a constant temperature.

In FIG. 6, the inside of the chassis 87, has a ball screw 119, a nutsection 120 that screws to the ball screw 119, and a supporting body 121that has the supporting member 111, to which the nut section 120 isinstalled, at one end. Furthermore, on the chassis 87, a motor 88 thatrotationally drives the ball screw 119 is provided. By means of avertical movement mechanism resulting from these components, the nozzle117 is vertically movable.

A temperature raising and lowering device 71 is provided on the lowerside of the chassis 87. In regard to the temperature raising andlowering device 71, it is formed along the column direction such that ithas a height and a width that primarily makes it approachable to, orable to make contact with, the narrow tube of the eight tips that areinstalled to the eight consecutive nozzles, it has a heating plate 73that has a heater in the interior, and nine heating walls 72, which areinstalled to the heating plate 73, that have a heater in the interiorand are provided protruding such that they respectively sandwich thetips from both sides, and this heating plate 72 and these nine heatingwalls 72 are, as a whole, formed in a comb form. Furthermore, it ispreferable for the heating plate 73 to be formed such that it has ashape that is matched to the shape of the tip that becomes the subjectof temperature control. Here, the heating plate 73 and the heating walls72 correspond to the temperature raising and lowering body.

The temperature raising and lowering body 71 approaches, or makescontact with, the tip installed to the nozzle 117 of the collectivenozzle head 84, and it has a motor 74 for making it possible to heat thetip, a ball screw 76 a that is rotationally driven by the motor 74, anut section 75 that screws onto the ball screw 76 a, and a movement rod76 b that joins the nut section 75 and is movable in the left and rightdirections in the drawing, and also joins to the heating walls 72 andthe heating plate 73.

The bottom side of the temperature raising and lowering device 71 has amotor 89 for making it possible to remove the tip that has beeninstalled to the nozzle 117 of the collective nozzle head 84, a ballscrew 91 a that is rotationally driven by the motor 89, a nut section 90that screws onto the ball screw 91 a, and a movement rod 91 b that joinsthe nut section 90 and is movable in the left and right directions inthe drawing, and which moves a claw 122 in the left and right directionsin the drawing.

The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80is provided such that it is suspended from the upper side, and it ismovably provided by means of an X axis (row direction) movementmechanism not shown in the drawing, which utilizes a direct actingmechanism, such that it covers all regions of the biological materialfixed carrier treatment apparatus 10 and the other necessary regions.

Furthermore, returning to FIG. 5, the tip processing region 81 has: acartridge vessel 92, which has eight consecutive specimen wells 92 athat store the suspension in which the specimen is suspended; a matrixform vessel 95, which, as well as storing various tip type columns 96and 97, has a 5 column×8 row well having a liquid storage section column99 that stores the product material; and eight cartridge vessels 100that have a prepackable well 100 a for storing various reagents ormaterials that are necessary for executing processing, or storing theresulting material of processing. Amongst the cartridge vessels 101,reference symbol 100 b represents an incubator well that is providedwith a heat block.

Furthermore, barcodes 92 b are attached to the specimen storage wells 92a, that display information relating to the respective specimensthereof. The barcodes 92 b are read by a barcode reading section 93,which reads the barcode 92 b, by moving such that it scans. Referencesymbol 93 a is a movement mechanism that drives the barcode readingsection 93.

A movable conveyor 103, which is made to surround the surroundings ofthe eight consecutive cartridge vessels 100, is provided along a squareshaped transporting route that has the column transporting routes 103 aand 103 c on the movement route of the collective nozzle head 84 of thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80along the column direction (the vertical direction or the Y direction inthe drawing), which is parallel to the arrangement direction of theeight consecutive nozzles, and a row transporting route 103 b on themovement route of the individual nozzle head 84′ along the row direction(the horizontal direction or the X direction), which is perpendicular tothe arrangement direction.

The conveyor 103 corresponds to the queued route transporting device,and in regard to the conveyor 103, a total of 32 tip storage sections ortubes 102, which correspond to the transport storage section, aremovably joined together with the conveyor 103, such that they correspondto the spacing between the nozzles. Consequently, in regard to aposition such as the one shown in FIG. 5, suction and discharge ofliquid with respect to the two columns of tip storage section 102 groupsarranged on the column transporting routes 103 a and 103 c are possibleby means of the eight consecutive nozzles of the biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80. Furthermore, by meansof the series of nozzles of the individual nozzle head 84′, which isprovided such that suction and discharge is possible independently tothe group of eight consecutive nozzles of the collective nozzle head 84of the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device80, within the transporting route, which has been arranged in a squareshape as the queued route transporting device, the row transportingroute 103 b of the lower side, that is to say, with respect to theselected tip storage sections 102 within the reagent dispensing region82, reagents that correspond to an object, for example, a substrateliquid, or the like, in chemiluminescence, can be dispensed. Inparticular, it is dispensed directly before reaction of the PCR reactionliquid, or the like, in PCR preprocessing for a case where DNAextraction is performed.

Furthermore, within the measurement region 83, a measurement position104 is provided within the square shaped transporting route of thequeued route transporting device, and in regard to the measurementposition 104, excitation light is irradiated within the biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip by means of the trigger lightsource 105, and measurement is performed by receiving the generatedlight at the light receiving section 106. Consequently, processing canbe performed according to the processing object for each tip.

Next, based on FIG. 7, as DNA processing according to the presentembodiment, SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) typing is explainedfor a case where the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 35is used.

At the plurality of SNP positions that are to be measured, anoligonucleotide, which has a possibility of hybridization, that has abase sequence, is fixed to the particle form carrier 41 as a probematerial. In order to perform fixing to the particle form carrier 41, afunctional group is generated or expressed beforehand at the surface ofthe particle form carrier 41, it is bonded with the probe material, andthe surface is cleaned with a suitable solvent.

For example, at SNP1 (a first position), there is a possibility of twotypes, the base T or the base C, and at SNP2 (a second position), thereis a possibility of two types, the base G or the base A.

A particle form carrier 41 fixed with a base sequence for determiningthe base T at SNP1, a particle form carrier 41 fixed with a basesequence for determining the base C at SNP1, a particle form carrier 41fixed with a base sequence for determining the base G at SNP2, and aparticle form carrier 41 fixed with a base sequence for determining thebase A at SNP2 are, as shown in FIG. 7( a), provided with a piercedporous member 45 within the narrow tube 39 of the tip form vessel 36,which has a translucency, and the particle form carriers 41 are placedin the aforementioned order (five carriers in this example), and byperforming enclosing by providing a mesh form member 43, the biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 35 is formed.

For example, in regard to eight test subjects, a case where the SNPstyping position of a respective plurality of positions (two positions inthis example) are attempted to be simultaneously determined, isexplained. In this case, in a step S1, in regard to a biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 35 that is formed in this manner,the nozzle 117 of the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tipprocessing device 80 is installed to the installation opening part 38provided on the upper end of the wide tube 37 thereof.

On the other hand, specimens such as the following are stored in theeight specimen storage wells 92 a provided in the tip processing region81. That is to say, the genome is respectively extracted from the bloodof the eight test subjects, and amongst these genomes, the fragmentsthat contain a plurality of positions of the SNPs typing positions areamplified by a thermal cycler, a material that is labeled by afluorescent material is generated, and this is stored per test subjectin the eight specimen wells 92 a. Furthermore, in the eight consecutivecartridge vessels 100, a BW buffer solution is stored in the wells 100 ato 100 c thereof.

In a step S2, as shown in FIG. 7( b), the collective nozzle head 84 ofthe biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80is advanced in the row direction by means of the movement device, thenarrow tubes 39 are simultaneously inserted into the specimen storagewells 92 a, and the inside of the narrow tubes 39 are simultaneouslyfilled by performing suction of a suspension that is inside the specimenstorage wells 92 a.

In a step S3, as shown in FIG. 7( c), the plurality of particle formcarriers 41 and the suspension are brought into sufficient contact viathe nozzle, for example, by stirring as a result of repeating suctionand discharge ten times at a predetermined speed s1 (for example,approximately 200 microliters/sec), and in an amount v1 (for example,approximately 400 microliters).

Then, in a step S4, as shown in FIG. 7( d), the DNA fragments within thesuspension, which have been labeled by a fluorescent material, bond tothe corresponding particle form carrier 41 amongst the positions of theSNP by means of hybridization. The residual liquid is discharged intothe specimen storage well 92 a.

In a step S5, in regard to the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip processing device 80, the biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 35 that encloses the particle form carrier, forwhich the reaction has been completed, is transported to the location ofthe wells 100 a of the eight consecutive cartridge vessels 100, and withrespect to the BW buffer solution, cleaning is performed by repeatingsuction and discharge ten times, for example, by means of apredetermined speed s2 (for example, from approximately 760 to 1700microliters/sec) in a microamount v2 (for example, approximately 500microliters). Furthermore, the same operation is repeated with respectto the wells 100 b and 100 c.

In a step S6, in regard to the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip 35, for which cleaning has been completed, the collectivenozzle head 84 is moved to the position of the tip storage section 102that is stopped on the column transporting route 103 a of the conveyor103, separated from the plurality of consecutive nozzles 117 provided tothe collective nozzle head 84 a by means of the claw 122 and stored inthe tip storing section 102, and transported along the transportingroute by driving the conveyor 103. At the time the tip storage section102 reaches the row transporting route 103 b, following suction of apredetermined reagent by moving the individual nozzle head 84′ to thereagent storage section 77, amongst the eight tip storage sections 102that are stopped along the row transporting route 103 b, dispensing of areagent for measurement is performed from the installation opening part38 of the selected biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 35,for example, as the predetermined reagent. Thereafter, it is transportedto the measurement position 104 provided on the transporting route bydriving the conveyor 103, an excitation light is irradiated at themeasurement position, and the light within the narrow tube 39 isreceived at the light receiving section 106. By performing measurementof the light emission position, analysis of the structure of the targetmaterial is performed.

Next, based on FIG. 8, the processing procedure with respect to anallergy test as a protein analysis example is shown for a case where thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 47 is used.

Various allergen materials, for example, materials obtained from cedarpollen, ragweed, mites, mold, or the like, are fixed to the particleform carriers 41. In order to fix the allergen materials to the particleform carriers 41, a functional group is generated or expressedbeforehand on the surface of the particle form carriers 41. In regard tothese allergen materials, as shown in FIG. 8( a), the fixed particleform carriers 41 are placed in this order within the narrow tube 51(five in this example), which has a translucency, the narrow tube 51engages the engaging section 55 of the wide tube 49, is installed bywelding as a result of adhesion, ultrasonic waves or heat, and isenclosed, and the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 47 isformed.

In a step S11, in regard to the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip 47 obtained in this manner, the nozzle 117 of thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80 isinstalled to the installation opening part 50 provided to the upper endof the wide tube 49 thereof.

On the other hand, blood collected from the eight test subjects isstored in the specimen storage wells 92 a provided to the tip processingregion 81, and in the eight consecutive cartridge vessels 100, a 50 mMTBS buffer solution and a pH 8, 1% BSA solution are stored in the wells100 a, a cleaning solution comprising a 50 mM TBS buffer solution and apH 8, 0.005% Tween solution are stored in the wells 100 b to 100 f, anda liquid that suspends an anti-human IgE antibody that has been labeledwith a fluorescent material is stored in the wells 100 g.

In a step S12, as shown in FIG. 8( a), (b) and (c), the solutions arestirred by performing suction and discharge of an amount v3 (forexample, approximately 500 microliters) of the solution stored in thewells 100 a at a speed s3 (for example, approximately 760microliters/sec), and blocking (shutoff) of the particle carrier 41surfaces is performed.

In a step S13, as shown in FIG. 8(d), cleaning is performed with the 50mM TBS buffer solution and pH 8, 0.005% Tween solution that is stored inthe wells 100 b. Furthermore, in a step S14, as shown in FIG. 8( e), thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 47 installed to thenozzle is moved to the specimen storage well 92 a, the blood stored inthe specimen storage well 92 a is suctioned into the narrow tube 51 andbrought into contact, and the IgE antibody in the blood and the allergenmaterial is reacted within the narrow tube 51 for 30 minutes at 37degrees. At that time, in order to maintain the narrow tube 51 at aconstant temperature, it is heated such that the narrow tube 51 issandwiched from both sides and two plates amongst the heating plates 72of the temperature raising and lowering device 71, which are arranged ina comb form, approach both sides of the eight consecutive biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 47. Consequently, the inside of thenarrow tube 51 is efficiently heated with certainty.

Next, in a step S15, as shown in FIG. 8( f), the biological materialfixed carrier enclosing tip 47 is moved to the wells 100 c of thecartridge vessel 100. The aforementioned cleaning solution is stored inthe wells 100 c, and cleaning is performed by repeating suction anddischarge ten times at, for example a speed s4 (for example, fromapproximately 760 microliters to 1700 microliters/sec) and in an amountv4 (for example, approximately 500 microliters). Furthermore, thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 47 is transported to thewells 100 d, and cleaning is repeated.

Next, in a step S16, as shown in FIG. 8( g), the collective nozzle head84 is moved to the wells 100 g, the suspension is suctioned and broughtinto contact with the particle form carrier 41 in order to react withthe anti-human IgE antibody stored in the wells 100 g, which has beenlabeled with fluorescent light, and it is maintained at 37° C. for 30minutes. Also in this case, as mentioned above, the inside of the narrowtube is heated by approaching the heating plates 72 of the temperatureraising and lowering device 71 such that they sandwich both sides of thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 47.

In a step S17, as shown in FIG. 8( h), it is moved to the wells 100 e ofthe cartridge vessel 100, and the particle form carrier 41 is cleaned byperforming suction and discharge of the stored cleaning solutionapproximately ten times, for example, at a speed s5 (for example, fromapproximately 760 microliters to 1700 microliters/sec), and in an amountv5 (for example, 500 microliters). The same operation is repeatedfollowing movement to the wells 100 f.

Next, in a step S18, in regard to the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip 47, the collective nozzle head 84 is moved to the tipstorage section 102 that is stopped on the column transporting route 103a of the conveyor 103, separated from the plurality of consecutivenozzles 117 provided to the collective nozzle head 84 by means of theclaw 122 and stored in the tip storing section 102 that is arranged onthe column transporting route 103 a, and transported along thetransporting route by driving the conveyor 103. At the time the tipstorage section 102 reaches the position of the row transporting route103 b, the individual nozzle head 84′ is moved to the reagent storagesection 77, which stores the predetermined test reagent, the reagent issuctioned, and amongst the eight tip storage sections 102 that arestopped along the row transporting route 103 b, it is moved to theselected biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 47, anddispensing of the predetermined reagent is performed from theinstallation opening part 50 of the selected biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 47. Thereafter, at the measurement position 104provided on the transporting route, light from the carrier is receivedand measured at the light receiving section 106, the fluorescencestrength of the particle surface is measured, and the reacted allergenmaterial is specified.

Next, based on FIG. 9, a protein analysis example using a non-flexibleneedle form carrier, to which the protein is fixed, is explained for acase where the biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 58 isused. In the process, in FIG. 9( a), several types (five types in thisexample) of protein expression base sequences and an oligonucleotidehaving a protein collection material that collects the expressedproteins are fixed beforehand to the non-flexible needle form carrier 59shown in FIG. 3( a) with a spacing. In order to fix these materials, afunctional group is generated or expressed on the surface of the needleform carrier 59. Consequently, the generated amount of the generatedprotein, and the bondability with a specific protein are examined. Inthe present example, the needle form carrier 59 is stored within thenarrow tube 51, and it is enclosed as a result of engaging the narrowtube 51, in which the needle form carrier 59 is stored, with theengaging section 55 provided on the lower end of the wide tube 49, andinstallation by means of adhesion or welding, and the biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip 58 is formed.

On the other hand, within the respective single liquid storage sections100 a of the eight consecutive cartridge vessels 100 provided to the tipprocessing region 81 of FIG. 5, solutions of amino acids, ribosomes, orthe like, are stored, a cleaning solution (hereunder referred to as“PBS-T”) comprising a PBS buffer solution and a 0.05% Tween 20 buffersolution, which is a surface active agent is stored in the liquidstorage sections 100 b to 100 g, a 5% skim milk suspension in PBS-T isstored in the liquid storage sections 100 h, and a solution of anantibody labeled with a fluorescent material, and a biotinylatedmaterial is stored in the liquid storage sections 100 i.

In a step S21, in regard to a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip 58 that is formed in this manner, the nozzle 117 of thebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80 isinstalled to the installation opening part 50 provided on the upper endof the wide tube 49 thereof. Next, as shown in FIG. 9( a), (b) and (c),the eight consecutive nozzles 117 of the collective nozzle head 84 ofthe biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip processing device 80are simultaneously moved to the liquid storage section 100 a of thecartridge vessels 100, and an amount v6 (for example, approximately 500microliters) of the solution of the amino acid, or the like, that isstored in the liquid storage sections 100 a is suctioned into the narrowtube 51 at a speed s6 (for example, approximately 200 microliters/sec).In this state, the inside of the narrow tube 51 is heated by, forexample, flowing an electrical current to the conductive thin film 51 athat forms the wall of the narrow tube 51, and it is maintained at 37°C. for 1 hour.

In a step S22, as shown in FIG. 9( d), following discharge of the liquidfrom the narrow tube 51, the collective nozzle head 84 is moved to theliquid storage sections 100 b, and it is washed by repeating suction anddischarge of the PBS-T solution with respect to the narrow tube 51, forexample, ten times, at a speed s7 (for example, from approximately 760to 1700 microliters/sec), and in an amount v7 (for example,approximately 500 microliters). This operation is also repeated at theliquid storage sections 100 c.

In a step S23, as shown in FIG. 9( e), the collective nozzle head 84 ismoved to the liquid storage sections 100 h, the PBS-T and 5% skim milksuspension is suctioned, then reacted in a room temperature state forapproximately 1 hour, and blocking is performed.

In a step S24, as shown in FIG. 9( f), following discharge of the liquidfrom the narrow tube 51, the collective nozzle head 84 is moved to theliquid storage sections 100 d, and it is washed by repeating suction anddischarge of the PBS-T solution with respect to the narrow tube 51, forexample, ten times, at a speed s8 (for example, from approximately 760to 1700 microliters/sec), and in an amount v8 (for example,approximately 500 microliters). This operation is also repeated at theliquid storage sections 100 e.

In a step S25, as shown in FIG. 9( g), the biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip 58 is transported to the liquid storage sections100 i, and the suspension which suspends an antibody that has beenlabeled by the fluorescent material, and a biotinylated material, issuctioned, and incubated at room temperature for approximately 30minutes to 1 hour.

Furthermore, in a step S26, as shown in FIG. 9( h), it is transported tothe liquid storage sections 100 f, and it is washed by repeating suctionand discharge of the PBS-T solution with respect to the narrow tube 51,for example, ten times, at a speed s3. This operation is also repeatedat the liquid storage sections 100 g.

In a step S27, in regard to the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip 58, the collective nozzle head 84 is moved to the tipstorage section 102 that is stopped on the column transporting route 103a of the conveyor 103, separated from the plurality of consecutivenozzles 117 provided to the collective nozzle head 84 by means of theclaw 122 and stored in the tip storing section 102 that is arranged onthe column transporting route 103 a, and transported along thetransporting route by driving the conveyor 103. At the time the tipstorage section 102 reaches the row transporting route 103 b, theindividual nozzle head 84′ is moved to the reagent storage section 77, apredetermined reagent is suctioned, and amongst the eight tip storagesections 102 that are stopped along the row transporting route 103 b, itis moved to the selected biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip58, and dispensing of the predetermined reagent is performed from theinstallation opening part 50 of the tip 58. Thereafter, at themeasurement position 104 provided on the transporting route, light fromthe carrier is received and measured at the light receiving section 106,the fluorescence strength of the particle surface is measured, and theprotein that has reacted with the antibody labeled with the fluorescentmaterial, the biotinylated material, or the like, is specified, or theexpression amount thereof is measured from the strength and the lightemission position thereof.

Furthermore it is possible to use a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip processing device 180 according to another embodimentshown in FIG. 10 instead of the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip processing device 80 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In FIG.10, the same reference symbols as in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 indicate the samecomponents. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tipprocessing device 180 is one in which suction and discharge of gas isperformed using a nozzle that is communicated with a suction anddischarge mechanism, although the biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip processing device 180 has a nozzle head 184 that has aplurality of consecutive (nine consecutive in this example) nozzles 117that are arranged in the column direction (the vertical direction in thedrawing), and with respect to the nozzle head 184, it differs to thenozzle head 84 in that suction and discharge is simultaneously performedby the same suction and discharge mechanism. Amongst the nineconsecutive nozzles 117, one nozzle 117 of the end is an individualnozzle, and as shown by the position thereof (the position of referencesymbol 112 b in FIG. 10), it is provided such that it is somewhatseparated from the eight consecutive nozzles 117, that is to say, theposition of the collective nozzle (the position of reference symbol 112a in FIG. 10).

In regard to the suction and discharge mechanism, it has a wide diametersection 116 provided to a somewhat upper section of the nozzles 117, anda rod 112 for sliding a plunger 115 a within a cylinder 115 that isjoined to the nozzles 117. Furthermore, the nine rods 112 are installedsuch that they sit on eight consecutive end sections 11 2 a and a singleend section 112 b, that have a larger diameter than the rods 112 andprotrude in the radial direction from the eight respective notchsections that are provided to the edge of a driving plate 123, in whichsimultaneous vertical movement is possible. Hence, the nozzle head 184simultaneously moves in the row direction (the horizontal direction orthe left and right directions on the drawing).

Amongst the nine consecutive nozzles 117, the individual nozzle isprovided to the nozzle head 184. Hence the suction and discharge issimultaneously performed together with the other eight consecutivecollective nozzles. Furthermore, also in regard to the raising andlowering mechanism, it is simultaneously performed with respect tohorizontal movement in the row direction (the left and right directionsin FIG. 12). However, the individual nozzle is, in the reagentdispensing region 82, used for dispensing reagents for measurement intothe biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip 11. In a case wherethe individual nozzle is used, it is in a state where the biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip has been removed from the othercollective nozzles. Furthermore, in a case where the collective nozzlesare used, it is in a state where the tip form vessel, or the like, isnot installed to the individual nozzle.

The embodiments above have been specifically explained in order tobetter understand the present invention, and do not restrict otherembodiments in any way. Accordingly, they are changeable within a scopethat does not depart from the gist of the invention. For example, in theembodiments, although only the cases of DNA and proteins were explained,it may also be a sugar chain, other DNA materials, RNA, or the like.Furthermore, as the particle form carrier, although only the case of aspherical particle form carrier was explained, it is not restricted tothis case, and it may be a cylinder shape, or a rectangularparallelopiped shape. Moreover, it can also be applied toindeterminately shaped carriers. Furthermore, in regard to the numericalvalues, the frequencies, the shapes, the numbers, the quantities, or thelike, that were used in the explanations above, they are not restrictedto these cases in any way.

Moreover, in the present invention, it may be a narrow and long member,such as a thread form, with a flexibility, or a thread form, in whichone or more types of biological materials, such as a ligand, areprovided such that they are fixed or are fixable to the side facethereof. In short, it can be used as the carrier as long as it is formedin a size or a shape that is passable through the opening, and suctionand discharge of fluid can be performed in a state where it ismaintained within the carrier storage section.

Furthermore, by suppressing the chemical material containing the ligand,or the like, with respect to all side faces of the narrow and longmember to a low concentration, production is simplified and thereliability thereof is increased, and on the other hand, at the time ofprocessing, by storing the integrated narrow and long member, theprocessing efficiency can be increased. Furthermore, since at the timeof measurement the arrangement of chemical materials can be handled withcertainty along a one-dimensional route, the reliability of measurementis high. An example of a narrow and long member with flexibilityincludes, for example, those that are formed by chemical fibers, such asnylon.

Moreover, the configuration elements above, such as the carriers, thenarrow tubes, the tip form vessel, the nozzle head, the sealing section,and the nozzle, as well as the heating device or the like, and thedevices, can be arbitrarily combined while making suitable changes.Furthermore, the ligand is not restricted to DNA, and it includesgenetic material such as oligonucleotides and RNA, immunity materials,proteins, sugar chains, and further includes pheromones, allomones,mitochondria, viruses, and plasmids.

Furthermore, the aforementioned reagents and materials show examples,and it is also possible to utilize other reagents and materials.Moreover, a carrier in which DNA, or the like, has been collected can betaken out from the narrow tube, or the like, and it can be made thesubject of preservation, or other processes.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip, a biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatusand a method thereof. The present invention relates to all fields, suchas fields in which handling of biopolymers, such as genes, the immunesystem, amino acids, proteins, and sugars, and biological low molecularweight compounds is demanded, for example, in agricultural fields suchas engineering fields, food products, agricultural produce and seafoodprocessing, medical fields such as pharmacology fields, sanitation,immunity, diseases, and genetics, and science fields such as chemistryor biology. The present invention is, in particular, an effective methodin cases where a series of processes using a plurality of reagents andmaterials is continuously executed in a predetermined order.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS

10 Biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus

11, 25, 35, 47, 56, 58, 62, 65, 68, 70 Biological material fixed carrierenclosing tip

12, 36, 48 Tip form vessel

13, 37, 49 Wide tube

15, 39, 51 Narrow tube

17, 26, 41, 59, 63, 66, 69 Carrier

18, 19, 28, 27, 43, 61, 64, 67 Enclosing section

84 Collective nozzle head

84′ Individual nozzle head

103 Conveyor (queued route transporting device)

106 Light receiving section

184 Nozzle head

1. A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip comprising: a tipform vessel having an installation opening part that is installable to anozzle that performs suction and discharge of gas, and a narrow tubethat is insertable into various vessels and possesses an opening,through which fluid inflow and outflow is possible by means of saidsuction and discharge of gas, that is narrower than said nozzle; acarrier in which a predetermined biological material is fixed or fixablein a plurality of different positions that are determined beforehandthat are distinguishable from the exterior, and has a size or a shapethat is able to pass through said opening; and an enclosing sectionprovided on said tip form vessel that encloses the carrier within thenarrow tube in a state where it is able to make contact with the fluidthat has flown into said narrow tube from said opening, and said tipform vessel has a storage section that communicates said installationopening part and the narrow tube, in which liquid is storable, and theupper side of said narrow tube is detachably provided with respect to anengaging section of said storage section so that the narrow tube doesnot extend within the remainder of the storage section, which engagingsection is provided such that it surrounds a hole that is coaxial withthe engaging section and fluidically connects the engaging section tothe remainder of the storage section, wherein said carrier has aplurality of particle form carriers, and said enclosing section isprovided such that it sandwiches said plurality of particle formcarriers at, at the very least, two positions within the narrow tube ina state where they are serially arranged such that the order thereofbecomes constant within the narrow tube, and the plurality of differentpositions determined beforehand are made to correspond to said pluralityof particle form carriers that are serially arranged in a predeterminedorder.
 2. A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip according toclaim 1, wherein said enclosing section has one or two or more carrierpassage blocking members that are provided as separate bodies withrespect to the tip form vessel, such that an axially-extending intervalbetween said installation opening part and said opening is axiallypartitioned between an axially-extending first portion of the intervalin which the carrier is disposed and an axially-extending second portionof the interval in which the carrier is not disposed, such that fluid isable to pass through said opening, but said carrier is not able to passthrough said opening.
 3. A biological material fixed carrier enclosingtip according to claim 1, wherein said enclosing section has aprotrusion section in which a wall face of said tip form vessel is madeto protrude out such that an axially-extending interval between saidinstallation opening part and said opening is axially partitionedbetween an axially-extending first portion of the interval in which thecarrier is disposed and an axially-extending second portion of theinterval in which the carrier is not disposed, such that fluid is ableto pass through said opening, but said carrier is not able to passthrough said opening.
 4. A biological material fixed carrier enclosingtip according to claim 1, wherein said enclosing section has a joiningsection for passing fluid but preventing passage of said carrier, thatis joined to said carrier and is installed to said tip form vessel.
 5. Abiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip according to claim 1, inwhich the entire wall of said tip form vessel, or a portion thereof, isformed by a conductive member that has a predetermined electricalresistance value.
 6. A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tipaccording to claim 1, wherein a particle form carrier arranged at, atthe very least, one end within said plurality of particle form carriers,has concavities and convexities on the surface thereof.
 7. A biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip according to claim 1, wherein saidcarrier is a narrow and long shaped linear form flexible carrier, andthe predetermined biological material is fixed or is fixable along thelongitudinal direction of the linear form flexible carrier at positionsdetermined beforehand that are identifiable from the exterior, and saidenclosing section has a joining section which joins the linear formflexible carrier to said narrow tube at two points along thelongitudinal direction of said linear form flexible carrier, which areseparated by a predetermined distance, such that said fluid is passable.8. A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip according to claim1, wherein said carrier is a non-flexible narrow and long shaped linearform non-flexible carrier, the predetermined biological material isfixed or is fixable along the longitudinal direction of said linear formnon-flexible carrier at positions determined beforehand that areidentifiable from the exterior, and said enclosing section has a joiningsection which joins the linear form non-flexible carrier to said narrowtube such that said fluid is passable.
 9. A biological material fixedcarrier enclosing tip according to claim 1, wherein within the narrowtube in which said carrier is enclosed, the capacity of the space inwhich fluid is storable is approximately several microliters to severalhundred microliters.
 10. A biological material fixed carrier treatmentapparatus comprising: a nozzle head that has one or a plurality ofconsecutive nozzles that perform suction and discharge of gas; a suctionand discharge mechanism that performs suction and discharge of gas viathe nozzles; a tip form vessel having an installation opening part thatis installed or is installable to said nozzle, and a narrow tube that isinsertable into various vessels and possesses an opening, through whichfluid inflow and outflow is possible by means of said suction anddischarge of gas, that is narrower than said nozzle; one or two or morebiological material fixed carrier enclosing tips having an enclosingsection that encloses a fixed carrier in which a predeterminedbiological material is fixed or fixable in a plurality of differentpositions that are determined beforehand that are distinguishable fromthe exterior, and that has a size or a shape that is able to passthrough said opening; and that is provided on said tip form vessel thatencloses the carrier within the narrow tube in a state where it is ableto make contact with the fluid that has flown into said narrow tube fromsaid opening, and in which said tip form vessel has a storage sectionthat communicates said installation opening part and the narrow tube, inwhich liquid is storable, and the upper side of said narrow tube isdetachably provided with respect to an engaging section of said storagesection so that the narrow tube does not extend within the remainder ofthe storage section, which engaging section is provided such that itsurrounds a hole that is coaxial with the engaging section andfluidically connects the engaging section to the remainder of thestorage section; a stage to which a liquid storage section group, inwhich a variety of liquids are stored or are storable, is provided; amovement device that relatively moves said nozzle head with respect tosaid liquid storage section group; and a control section that controlsthe amount, the speed, the frequency, the time, or the position of thesuction and discharge of said nozzles based on; the structure of saidbiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, the material conditionscomprising the type of biological material that is fixed to the carrieror is present within the fluid, the concentration, the amount of liquid,and the coordinate position containing the storage position of theliquid, and the processing contents, wherein said carrier has aplurality of particle form carriers, and said enclosing section isprovided such that it sandwiches said plurality of particle formcarriers at, at the very least, two positions within the narrow tube ina state where they are serially arranged such that the order thereofbecomes constant within the narrow tube, and the plurality of differentpositions determined beforehand are made to correspond to said pluralityof particle form carriers that are serially arranged in a predeterminedorder.
 11. A biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatusaccording to claim 10, further comprising a light reception device thatreceives light from said carrier stored within said tip form vessel. 12.A biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the capacity of a space in which liquid is storablewithin a narrow tube, in which said carrier is enclosed, isapproximately several microliters to several hundred microliters.
 13. Abiological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus according to claim10, wherein a temperature raising and lowering body that raises andlowers the temperature as a result of a signal from the exterior isprovided in the vicinity of, making contact with, or able to be in thevicinity of or making contact with, the outside of said narrow tube ofsaid biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip.
 14. A biologicalmaterial fixed carrier treatment apparatus, comprising: a nozzle headthat has one or a plurality of consecutive nozzles that perform suctionand discharge of gas; a suction and discharge mechanism that performssuction and discharge of gas via the nozzles; a tip form vessel havingan installation opening part that is installed or is installable to saidnozzle, and a narrow tube that possesses an opening, through which fluidinflow and outflow is possible by means of said suction and discharge ofgas, that is narrower than said nozzle; one or two or more biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tips having an enclosing section thatencloses a fixed carrier in which a predetermined biological material isfixed or fixable in a plurality of different positions that aredetermined beforehand that are distinguishable from the exterior, andthat has a size or a shape that is able to pass through said opening;and that is provided on said tip form vessel that encloses the carrierwithin the narrow tube in a state where it is able to make contact withthe fluid that has flown into said narrow tube from said opening, and inwhich said tip form vessel has a storage section that communicates saidinstallation opening part and the narrow tube, in which liquid isstorable, and said narrow tube is detachably provided with respect tosaid storage section; a stage to which a liquid storage section group,in which a variety of liquids are stored or are storable, is provided; amovement device that relatively moves said nozzle head with respect tosaid liquid storage section group; and a control section that controlsthe amount, the speed, the frequency, the time, or the position of thesuction and discharge of said nozzles based on; the structure of saidbiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, the material conditionscomprising the type of biological material that is fixed to the carrieror is present within the fluid, the concentration, the amount of liquid,and the coordinate position containing the storage position of theliquid, and the processing contents; wherein said nozzle head has acollective nozzle head in which a plurality of consecutive nozzles arearranged along the column direction and an individual nozzle head thathas at least one nozzle, said suction and discharge mechanism has acollective suction and discharge mechanism that simultaneously performssuction and discharge of gas with respect to the plurality ofconsecutive nozzles of said collective nozzle head, and an individualsuction and discharge mechanism that individually performs suction anddischarge of gas with respect to each nozzle of said individual nozzlehead, and said movement device has, a nozzle head movement device thatrelatively moves said collective nozzle head and said individual nozzlehead in said row direction with respect to said liquid storage sectiongroup, and a transporting route that includes a column transportingroute that is on the movement route of said collective nozzle head andalong said column direction and a row transporting route that is on themovement route of said individual nozzle head and along said rowdirection, and has a queued route transporting device that transports atransport storage section, in which tips that have been detached fromsaid collective nozzle head or liquid that has been discharged from saidcollective nozzle head are respectively storable, along saidtransporting route.
 15. A biological material fixed carrier treatmentapparatus according to claim 14, wherein a light reception device, whichreceives light from said transport storage section, is provided at apredetermined position along said transporting route of said queuedroute transporting device.
 16. A biological material fixed carriertreatment apparatus, comprising: a nozzle head that has one or aplurality of consecutive nozzles that perform suction and discharge ofgas; a suction and discharge mechanism that performs suction anddischarge ofgas via the nozzles; a tip form vessel having aninstallation opening part that is installed or is installable to saidnozzle, and a narrow tube that possesses an opening, through which fluidinflow and outflow is possible by means of said suction and discharge ofgas, that is narrower than said nozzle; one or two or more biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tips having an enclosing section thatencloses a fixed carrier in which a predetermined biological material isfixed or fixable in a plurality of different positions that aredetermined beforehand that are distinguishable from the exterior, andthat has a size or a shape that is able to pass through said opening;and that is provided on said tip form vessel that encloses the carrierwithin the narrow tube in a state where it is able to make contact withthe fluid that has flown into said narrow tube from said opening, and inwhich said tip form vessel has a storage section that communicates saidinstallation opening part and the narrow tube, in which liquid isstorable, and said narrow tube is detachably provided with respect tosaid storage section; a stage to which a liquid storage section group,in which a variety of liquids are stored or are storable, is provided; amovement device that relatively moves said nozzle head with respect tosaid liquid storage section group; and a control section that controlsthe amount, the speed, the frequency, the time, or the position of thesuction and discharge of said nozzles based on; the structure of saidbiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, the material conditionscomprising the type of biological material that is fixed to the carrieror is present within the fluid, the concentration, the amount of liquid,and the coordinate position containing the storage position of theliquid, and the processing contents; wherein said nozzle head has aplurality of consecutive collective nozzles and one individual nozzlearranged along the column direction, said suction and dischargemechanism simultaneously performs suction and discharge of gas withrespect to the collective nozzles and the individual nozzle of saidnozzle head, and said movement device has, a nozzle head movement devicethat relatively moves said nozzle head along the row direction withrespect to a stage that has said liquid storage section group, and atransporting route that includes a column transporting route that is onthe movement route of said collective nozzles and along said columndirection and a row transporting route that is on the movement route ofsaid individual nozzle and along said row direction, and has a queuedroute transporting device that transports a transport storage section,in which tip form vessels that have been detached from said collectivenozzle or liquid that has been discharged from said collective nozzlehead are respectively storable, along said transporting route.
 17. Abiological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus according to claim16, wherein a light reception device, which receives light from saidtransport storage section, is provided at a predetermined position alongsaid transporting route of said queued route transporting device.
 18. Abiological material fixed carrier treatment method comprising: a fixingstep for fixing a predetermined biological material to a plurality ofparticle form carriers such that it is associated with a predeterminedposition by a predetermined relationship; an enclosing step for storingsaid plurality of particle form carriers, to which said biologicalmaterial is fixed within a tip form vessel which has an installationopening part that is installable to one or a plurality of consecutivenozzles that perform suction and discharge of gas, and a narrow tubethat is insertable into various vessels and has an opening, throughwhich inflow and outflow of fluid is possible by means of the suctionand discharge of gas, and is narrower than said nozzle, and moreoverthat has a storage section that communicates said installation openingpart and the narrow tube, in which liquid is storable, and the upperside of said narrow tube is detachably provided with respect to anengaging section of said storage section so that the narrow tube doesnot extend within the remainder of the storage section, which engagingsection is provided such that it surrounds a hole that is coaxial withthe engaging section and fluidically connects the engaging section tothe remainder of the storage section, and enclosing the plurality ofparticle form carriers such that said plurality of particle formcarriers are sandwiched at, at the very least, two positions within saidnarrow tube in a state where it is able to make contact with the fluidthat has flowed in from said opening to within the vessel by using anenclosing section, attaching said narrow tube to said storage section,and installing to said nozzle at the installation opening part of thevessel, and where the particle form carriers are serially arranged suchthat the order thereof becomes constant within the narrow tube, and theplurality of different positions determined beforehand are made tocorrespond to said plurality of particle form carriers that are seriallyarranged in a predetermined order; and a reaction step for moving anozzle to which said tip form vessel has been installed to apredetermined liquid storage section, and bringing into contact andreacting the biological material fixed to said plurality of particleform carriers and a solution stored in the liquid storage section bycontrolling the operation of suction and discharge, which comprises theamount of suction and discharge via said nozzle, the speed, thefrequency, the time, and the location, based on the structure of saidbiological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, the material conditionscomprising the type of biological material that is fixed to theplurality of particle form carriers or is present in the solution, theconcentration, the amount of solution, or the position coordinate whichincludes the storage position of the solution, and the processingcontents.
 19. A biological material fixed carrier treatment methodaccording to claim 18, that, following said reaction step, has a lightreception step for receiving light from said plurality of particle formcarriers stored within said tip form vessel.
 20. A biological materialfixed carrier treatment method according to claim 18, wherein saidreaction step has a temperature raising and lowering step for raisingand lowering the temperature within said narrow tube of said biologicalmaterial fixed carrier enclosing tip.
 21. A biological material fixedcarrier treatment method according to claim 18, wherein said fixing stepfixes various types of biological materials to fixable particle formcarriers by bonding said biological material to each type, saidenclosing step includes a step for cleaning the enclosed particle formcarriers by using a suitable solvent, and said reaction step has a stepfor performing suction and discharge of a liquid from said liquidstorage section, in which a liquid containing the labeled targetmaterial is stored, at a predetermined speed and frequency, and a stepfor cleaning said particle form carriers by performing suction anddischarge of a cleaning solution from said liquid storage section, inwhich a cleaning solution is stored, at a predetermined speed andfrequency.